Author: Ekmekjian Janet

 13:20, 5 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Member of Knesset Ofer Cassif has criticized the government of Israel for supporting Azerbaijan’s dictatorial regime.

“Israel is not only exporting weapons to any dictatorship which wants it, but is also exporting ethnic cleansing and blockades. With Israeli military support, the Azerbaijani soldiers are carrying out a deadly blockade of the Armenians of Artsakh, blockading the Lachin Corridor. The blockade continues and 120,000 people, including 30,000 children are in life-threatening condition due to famine and disease. Stop the support to dictatorships,” the Israeli lawmaker wrote in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

 14:17, 4 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS. A group of Armenian NGOs have asked members of the UN Security Council to urgently intervene in relation to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh caused by the total blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan.

In the urgent call for action, the Armenian NGOs warned that the blockade aims to create unbearable living conditions for the ethnic Armenians of the region and push them out from their homes, and that the Nagorno-Karabakh people are now facing the imminent threat of starvation.

Below is the Urgent Call for Action by the UN Security Council to Address the Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis in Artsakh signed by the Armenian NGOs:

“Dear Representatives of States – Members of the UN Security Council,

We appeal to the States – Members of the UN Security Council, as to the primary mandate holder for international peace and security and call for your urgent intervention in relation to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh caused by the total blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. The Lachin Corridor is the only lifeline that connects the local Armenian people to the Republic of Armenia as well as to the rest of the world. The blockade aims to create unbearable living conditions for the ethnic Armenians of the region and push them out from their homes. In recent days the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh has deteriorated further, with its people now facing the imminent threat of starvation.

As you know, since 12 December 2022, Nagorno-Karabakh people have been under siege because of the blockade of the Lachin Corridor. On 23 April 2023, the Azerbaijani government installed an official checkpoint on the end of the bridge over the Hakari River that separates Armenia and Azerbaijan. Since 15 June 2023, Azerbaijan completely banned all kinds of humanitarian transportation in both ways blatantly violating its obligation towards ensuring the safe and unhindered passage through the Lachin corridor under the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020.

For almost 230 days under siege, the rights of indigenous Armenian people in Nagorno-Karabakh have been systematically violated. Their lives are endangered because of frequent ceasefire breaches by the attacks of Azerbaijani armed forces, shootings in the direction of civilians, houses and schools, usually preceded by aggressive disinformation campaigns creating false narratives that Armenians are the ones violating the ceasefire. Movement of people and vehicles from and to Nagorno-Karabakh is completely banned with rare emergency exceptions for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). There is no gas, and there are rolling blackouts of electricity (for 6 hours per day). A few days ago, the operation of all the public transportation came to a halt given the lack of fuel. There is poor tele-communication and access to information, which contributes to the spread of misinformation from the Azerbaijani side. Azerbaijan’s banning the international media from accessing Nagorno Karabakh prevents any broadcasts on the situation. Most recently, the European Federation of Journalists stated that “it was the Azerbaijani army that prevented us from crossing, in accordance with government orders.”

People in Nagorno-Karabakh are facing a shortage of medication, products of hygiene, clothing and access to medical services. Only the patients in a critical state are transferred by ICRC to the hospitals in Armenia to get the due treatment. The number of early-stage miscarriages has nearly tripled in the past month due to high stress among pregnant women and inability to access a balanced diet amid the blockade.

Farmers are neither able to cultivate their farmland due to shortage of fuel nor feed their cattle given the frequent shootings by the Azerbaijani military, who also damage the agricultural equipment and steal the cattle. The Sarsang reservoir – a major source of irrigation – has almost dried up, making it unable to compensate for water shortages and generate more electricity necessary for the people’s survival.

ICRC’s recent statement says: “The civilian population is now facing a lack of life-saving medication and essentials like hygiene products and baby formula. Fruits, vegetables, and bread are increasingly scarce and costly, while some other food items such as dairy products, sunflower oil, cereal, fish, and chicken are not available. The last time the ICRC was allowed to bring medical items and essential food items into the area was several weeks ago.”

All the above mentioned are part of Azerbaijan’s broader strategy aimed at ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. It is important to stress that any presence of Azerbaijani armed forces as well as checkpoints on the Lachin corridor poses an imminent threat to the security of the Armenians passing through the corridor either to or from Nagorno-Karabakh given the fear of being kidnapped, murdered, imprisoned, tortured or humiliated, as proved in the last two years. Such fears make it practically impossible for the local indigenous people to enjoy any safety, to exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms, to develop in their homeland.

In December 2021, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) adopted an order of provisional measures, stating that the Republic of Azerbaijan must “take all necessary measures to prevent the incitement and promotion of racial hatred and discrimination, including by its officials and public institutions, targeted at persons of Armenian national or ethnic origin.”In August 2022, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) published its findings on Azerbaijan, where it confirmed Azerbaijan’s coercive tactics and its hateful and antagonistic rhetoric towards Armenia, and stated that the Committee is “deeply concerned about allegations of grave human rights violations committed by the Azerbaijani military forces against prisoners of war and other protected persons of Armenian ethnic or national origin.”
In February 2023, ICJ adopted another order demanding that Azerbaijan shall, in accordance with its obligations under CERD, take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.

On 23 July 2023, Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention issued a Red Flag Alert for genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh. On July 25, ICRC reported: “Despite persistent efforts, we are currently unable to deliver aid via the Lachin corridor & other routes, including Aghdam. With these convoys blocked, our concern is that the humanitarian situation will further deteriorate.”Freedom House issued a statement: “We urge Azerbaijan to allow @ICRC to provide vital humanitarian assistance to Nagorno Karabakh & immediately work to ensure freedom of movement by opening the Lachin corridor, guaranteeing unrestricted movement of individuals, vehicles & cargo.”

It is crucial that the United Nations Security Council takes the responsibility to protect the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh from the ethnic cleansing as well as from genocide, which is actually underway through the forced starvation.

The Security Council shall particularly:

Pass a resolution that condemns the blockade and demands to urgently open the Lachin corridor for unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo, in line with the ICJ interim measure.

Take urgent measures to ensure international peacekeeping mandate inside Nagorno-Karabakh and Lachin corridor to ensure the security of the Armenian population beyond November 2025, i.e. the end of mandate of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, prescribed in November 10, 2020 trilateral statement, until the durable settlement of the conflict is achieved;

Request the UN Secretary General to commission a fact-finding mission to the region to assess the situation on the ground; and to appoint Secretary General’s Special Representative on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to ensure longer-term presence in the region;

Request the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to deploy a fact-finding mission to Nagorno-Karabakh to assess the situation on the ground and present a comprehensive report to the UN Security Council; and to utilize all pertinent UN human rights mechanisms, including Special Advisors and Special Rapporteurs, to promptly generate reports on the human rights, humanitarian, and human security conditions in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Condemn Azerbaijan’s policy of ethnic hatred against Armenians, which puts at risk any efforts aimed at establishment of peace and security in the region.

Signed by:
Democracy Development Foundation
Transparency International Anticorruption Center NGO
Public Journalism Club NGO
Law Development and Protection Foundation
Protection of Rights without Borders NGO
Helsinki Citizens Assembly – Vanadzor
“For Equal Rights” NGO
“Peace Dialogue” NGO”

 16:15, 31 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 31, ARMENPRESS. A group of demonstrators in Yerevan has collected humanitarian aid for Nagorno-Karabakh and rallied outside the UN Armenia office Monday asking the organization to deliver it.

The demonstrators have launched a movement called Opening Initiative, aimed at lifting the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The initiative has three goals.

“First is the opening of Lachin Corridor, second to ensure the security, the unimpeded and indefinite use of the corridor, through which cargo shipments between Armenia and Artsakh will take place. Third, we are struggling for the rights of our countrymen of Artsakh, who are on the verge of a humanitarian disaster. By gathering here every day, we are showing that we stand with Artsakh 24/7,” said Narek Ayvazyan, a member of the Opening Initiative.

He said they’ve collected humanitarian goods which they are asking the UN to deliver through Lachin Corridor to Nagorno-Karabakh. The goods were collected since July 19th, and ten tons of goods have been collected so far. Ayvazyan said that the UN office is inquiring about the humanitarian cargo every day and the information is being relayed to the UN headquarters.

On July 31, the demonstrators blocked the entrance of the UN Armenia office for one hour in protest. “In this dreadful situation, we have hope that the more influential organizations such as the UN can impact the situation,” Ayvazyan added.

“The entire purpose of our civic pressure is that aside from being aware they should act,” said another member of the organization, pointing out the numerous conventions and declarations of the UN that ought to protect human rights everywhere around the world.

The demonstrators said their initiative is a movement aimed at generating an agenda of launching international mechanisms. If a single UN vehicle carrying aid were to enter Artsakh via Lachin Corridor it would become a precedent for the corridor to function properly, the demonstrators said.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations.

 19:19, 1 August 2023

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. Nagorno-Karabakh authorities have reiterated readiness to discuss reasonable proposals on organizing meetings between their representatives and the authorities of Azerbaijan, the Nagorno-Karabakh foreign ministry told ARMENPRESS.

ARMENPRESS asked the Nagorno-Karabakh foreign ministry to comment on the media reports regarding a possible meeting between representatives of Stepanakert and Baku.

“While recognising the significance of public interest in both Artsakh and Armenia regarding the possibility of initiating a dialogue between Stepanakert and Baku, we believe it would be inappropriate to comment on specific meetings, which were cancelled due to reasons not related to us. We would like to emphasise that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh have always been open to discussing reasonable proposals aimed at facilitating dialogue between representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan. Moreover, Artsakh, for its part, has consistently put forward initiatives and proposals aimed at arranging meetings between representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan, with the involvement of mediators. We firmly believe that the success of any dialogue relies on the sincere willingness and good faith of both parties to resolve their differences. There is such willingness on our part. If the Azerbaijani side also shows it, this will pave the way for the beginning of the dialogue. At the same time, we reiterate our position that dialogue between Artsakh and Azerbaijan should take place within an agreed international format, supported by an appropriate mandate. This approach will facilitate increased engagement of the international community in the negotiation process, bolster its legitimacy and sustainability, and ensure reliable guarantees for the implementation of potential agreements between the parties,” the Nagorno-Karabakh foreign ministry told ARMENPRESS.

 15:35,

YEREVAN, JULY 29, ARMENPRESS. Many international organizations, governments and international human rights advocates are united in assessing the serious humanitarian situation in Nagorno Karabakh and call for an end to the blockade of Lachin Corridor, Armenian foreign ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan said on July 29.

In a tweet, Badalyan called on Azerbaijan to implement its obligation and not deviate from it.

“Many international organizations, governments, international human rights advocates are united in assessment of serious humanitarian situation in Nagorno Karabakh &in call to lift Lachin Corridor blockade as confirmed by ICJ and ECHR. Instead of deviating from its clear obligation, Azerbaijan should implement it,” Badalyan tweeted.

She also shared the previous statements made by Freedom House, Human Rights Watch and the ICRC calling on Azerbaijan to end the blockade.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno-Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations.

 19:18,

YEREVAN, JULY 25, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor and Nagorno Karabakh complicates the negotiation process, ARMENPRESS reports, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan stated on July 25 at the trilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, which took place in Moscow.

Mirzoyan emphasized that the meetings and negotiations are quite intense. On some issues there are concrete results, on some issues perspectives are visible where the parties can reach a mutual agreement, but there are also problematic issues on which the positions of the two sides are very far from each other.

“We are constructive and conduct negotiations on all platforms and in all directions. Alas, the situation in the world, in particular, Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh complicates the negotiation process,” the Armenian FM said.

He emphasized that there is now a serious humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the situation is close to a real humanitarian disaster. “The situation is getting more serious hour by hour. Neither food nor medicine enters Nagorno-Karabakh, the supply of gas and electricity is stopped, and if we do not manage to find a solution and Azerbaijan does not stop the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, the humanitarian disaster will have a negative impact on the overall negotiation process. However, I repeat that the Armenian side is constructive. We will continue the negotiations,” the Armenian FM concluded.

Sergey Lavrov emphasized that Russia is interested in peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

“Our efforts are aimed at stabilizing the situation both on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, as well as solving humanitarian problems, unblocking economic and transport links, developing communication between people, civil societies, experts-political scientists,” he said.

 20:38,

YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. Armenia consistently demands the lifting of the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan, and this can be seen in all our discussions with partners, Ani Badalyan, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, told ARMENPRESS.

Earlier, Ani Badalyan had made a post on “Twitter” about the topic.

“After the International Court of Justice reaffirmed its decision on the opening of the Lachin Corridor, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the decision of December 21, 2022 remains in force, and Azerbaijan is obliged to take all measures within its jurisdiction to ensure safe movement through the corridor.

Other international actors should follow this line,” Badalyan stressed.